I let go with one arm as we neared my Gram’s trailer, digging the fingers of my other hand into his stomach even though we were going less than fifteen miles per hour. I’d made it the entire half an hour trip, I didn’t want to fall off the bike when I was so close to making it home in one piece. I used my free hand to point him in the right direction, but as we glided closer I realized that he would’ve known where to go anyway. It was the only trailer in the park that was entirely lit up and Gram was standing on the front porch waiting for us as we pulled to a stop.

I hopped off the bike as soon as we were stopped, wobbling and tripping like an idiot as I got my feet back under me. Gram was backlit by lights so I couldn’t see her face, but all of a sudden, whatever bravado I’d had on the ride over was completely gone, and I was anxious to get in the house before she laid into me for being out so late. I was fumbling and pulling at the strap of the helmet, trying like hell to pull it off when I realized Grease was climbing off the back of the bike.

I felt my eyes go wide, the universal ‘stop what you’re doing’ look, but he completely ignored me and took a few steps forward. Gently pushing my hands away from the helmet, he slowly unlatched the buckle as if my Gram wasn’t giving us the evil eye from the porch.

“I programmed my number into your phone back at the hotel, Sugar,” he rumbled quietly. “None of this shit should blow back on you, but you need me for anything, you call.”

I stood there staring at him, not sure what my reply should be, until Gram’s voice broke through the quiet night.

“Well? You two coming in?” she asked, causing my head to jerk around in surprise.

“I better get going, ma’am,” Grease called out quietly.

“Bullshit. You just brought my girl home. You’re probably hungry. Come on in and eat, I’ve got breakfast ready.”

“Gram—” I tried to reason with her, but she cut me off.

“Callie, get your butt in this house. Bring your friend with you,” she told me, turning back to walk in the door.

I spun around to Grease to tell him he didn’t have to stay, but he was already at my side. He placed his hand on my lower back to lead me inside, and I sputtered as I walked toward the porch steps.

“Sugar, your grandmother asked me inside. I’d be an asshole if I just took off. I’ll eat and I’ll leave. No problem,” he assured me as we reached the porch.

When we got to the front door and could see Gram’s kitchen table covered with food, I heard Grease chuckle in my ear. He leaned close until I could feel his breath at the side of my neck.

“Your grandma always cook full meals in the middle of the night?” he whispered, a smile in his voice.

I snorted and answered him, “More times than you could possibly imagine.”

We sat down at the table as Gram moved around the kitchen, washing dishes and putting things away. She was wearing a nightgown that covered her from neck to toes and an apron wrapped around her waist. I watched for a few moments as her nightgown billowed out behind her legs as she walked, wishing I hadn’t gotten her out of bed to deal with my mess. She’d never complain; to her it was just what family did. If someone needed you, no matter what time it was or why, you stepped up and did what you could.

I handed Grease one of the plates that was stacked in front of me and started to dish up when Gram came and stood behind me.

“Thanks for bringing my girl home. Not sure what she got herself into, or how you’re a part of that… but thanks for getting her home. I’m Rose,” she told Grease as she squeezed my shoulders. I felt tears hit the back of my eyes as the ramifications of her words set in.

She wasn’t going to ask. It didn’t matter where I’d been or how I’d gotten there. I was home safe, and that was enough for her.

Grease’s eyes looked back and forth between Gram and me as he finished chewing, and he took his time wiping his mouth with a paper towel before he replied.

“Asa,” he said quietly, half of his mouth tipping up as he noticed the look of surprise on my face. “And it was no problem, ma’am.”

“Well, you two fill up. I might as well go get dressed.”

I was staring at Asa, trying to get my bearings, when Gram stepped away from me. Before I could ask her to stay, Asa was standing and moving around the table. My body tensed as I watched him, but I relaxed into my chair as he gently grabbed Gram’s elbow and guided her back to the table, speaking quietly in her ear.

“You got up and made us this huge breakfast. I’d feel a whole lot better if you’d sit down and eat with us before it got cold.”

“Well, I guess I can do that. Where are you from, Asa?” she asked him as she grabbed a plate off the table and began to fill it.

“I’m from Oregon.”

“Oh yeah? I’ve got a sister up there. I try to get out to see her at least once a year, but it’s getting harder and harder to do. Got a sister down here, too; much easier to see that one. These old bones don’t take to flying very well anymore.”

They talked for an hour, occasionally pulling me into the conversation, but mostly leaving me to chime in when I felt like it. The past eight hours were really catching up with me and I felt like I was in the Twilight Zone, watching the big biker speak to my Gram as if she was The Queen of England. He never once swore, though my grandma did, and his table manners were impeccable. Who was this guy? I’d thought I’d had him pegged by the time we’d left the hotel room, but he wasn’t acting the way I’d expected him to.